With tens of thousands of people lining the banks of O‘ahu’s Magic Island and more on shorelines, sidewalks, piers and docks, no incidents were reported in the water during the four-hour-long parade of wa‘a (canoes) leading to the Hōkūleʻa’s temporary overnight mooring.

Hundreds of others in canoes greeted the vessel as it was being tied up.

A months-long, highly coordinated effort between federal, state and city and county law enforcement and water safety agencies ensured the trouble- and injury-free homecoming.

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Today, Saturday, June 17, 2017, commanders and officers coordinated the safe passage of eight Polynesian voyaging canoes from their command post at the old Ala Wai fuel dock. Participating law enforcement and water safety agencies were the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, the Honolulu Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Coast Guard, the City and County of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, and the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

The agencies deployed a large fleet of boats and jet skis to maintain a safety perimeter around the large sailing canoes as they were under tow from the open ocean into the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and to Magic Island. On a few occasions officers and ocean safety personnel had to warn other watercraft to respect the safety zone and asked people who’d jumped into the water to get back up on the bank. Dozens of people were involved in the success of today’s homecoming.

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They are still on the scene and will escort seven of the wa‘a back out of the harbor early this evening.

A 25-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew from Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu (91107) conducts a coastal safety and security patrol while escorting Hōkūleʻa, a Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, back to Magic Island, Oahu, June 17, 2017. The Hōkūleʻa returned home after being gone for 36 months, sailing approximately 40,000 nautical miles around the world. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)

A 25-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew from Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu (91107) conducts a coastal safety and security patrol while escorting Hōkūleʻa, a Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, back to Magic Island, Oahu, June 17, 2017. The Hōkūleʻa returned home after being gone for 36 months, sailing approximately 40,000 nautical miles around the world. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tara Molle/Released)